Disney Visa Card Review

Since the Disney Visa Card pays Rewards Dollars redeemable only for Disney purchases and vacations, this card is best for true Disney enthusiasts who know they can put their earnings to good use. Wherever you use your card, you’ll earn 1% of every dollar back in Rewards Dollars, with no limit. 

You’ll also get discounts at Disney stores, insider perks at Disney parks and six months interest-free if you book select Disney vacations. In fact, these benefits may be the real selling points for the card, since potential cardholders with good credit can easily earn bigger rewards elsewhere. Many general cash-back credit cards offer more than 1% back and you can often redeem your rewards as a statement credit against anything you buy, including Disney vacations and merchandise.

• Disney discounts and perks: As a cardholder, you’ll be eligible for discounts on Disney cruises, shopping and dining, and select Disney merchandise. And when you visit Disney parks or stores, you’ll get special insider perks, like photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse or exclusive access to events. 
• Your choice of card design: If you’re in love with your favorite characters, you’ll be happy to know you can choose who’s on your card. Options include Darth Vader, Minnie and Mickey, Tinkerbell, and more. 

• Limited redemption options: While many rewards credit cards offer basic cash back or let you use points to travel or buy gift cards, this card is only good for redemptions with the entertainment giant, including Disney vacation packages, Disney movies, purchases in Disney stores, and Disney cruises. What’s more, you’ll have to earn at least $20 in Disney Reward Dollars before you can start using them. That means you’ll need to spend at least $2,000 on your card before reaping any benefit. 
• Low rewards-earning rate: Getting 1% back in Disney Rewards Dollars puts this card behind many cash-back credit cards that offer at least 1.5% back, and with far more flexible redemption options. 
• Short promotional financing period: If you need time to pay off an eligible Disney vacation, six months with no interest is helpful, but many cards offer introductory 0% APR deals for 12 months or longer. (Perhaps the one advantage of this card’s offer is that you can use it anytime you book an eligible vacation, whether your account is new or not.)

The Disney Visa Card gives you a $50 statement credit after you make your first purchase. This is a very low bar to entry compared to rewards cards that require you to spend $500 or more within your first three months to earn their bonuses. That said, the bonuses on those cards can be $150 or more. 

The Disney Visa Card gives you a flat 1% back in Disney Rewards Dollars for every dollar you spend, regardless of purchase category. That’s underwhelming considering many cash-back cards offer at least 1.5% back on every purchase, or well above that on select spending categories. 

Rewards earned with this card can be redeemed for more than just tickets to a Disney park. Each Disney Rewards Dollar you earn is worth $1 toward these purchases:

• Disney park tickets
• Disney resort stays
• Disney and Star Wars movies
• Items purchased in Disney stores
• Cruise packages from Disney, as well as onboard purchases and souvenirs

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that you can find better rewards earning rates with other cash back and travel rewards cards. This card’s modest 1% earning rate means it could be a long time before you earned enough Disney Rewards to treat yourself with a significant trip or outing.

That said, if you’re a real fan of Disney, the discounts, perks and other exclusives may have real value for you—and you’ll make the most of those during a visit to a Disney property.

If you’re planning a trip to a Disney park or resort, consider charging it to your Disney Visa Card to take advantage of the six-month 0% interest offer. You might also think about carrying an airline or hotel rewards card that can help defray some of the other expenses of the trip, like airfare and hotel stays.

Also, if you plan to cancel your card, first try to meet the minimums for transferring to a redemption card, so you don’t waste rewards. You’ll need at least $20 in Rewards Dollars to qualify for a redemption card and at least $10 to refill one. 

The Disney Visa Card offers one benefit deemed exceptional by our editors:

• Insurance for lost or damaged baggage: Qualify for up to $100 per day in reimbursement when your baggage is delayed by an airline or other common carrier for at least six hours. This coverage is good for up to three days. 

• Insurance for stolen or damaged purchases
• Extended warranties
• 10% off select shopping and dining at some Disney locations
• Cardmember-only events with Disney characters on select dates
• Discounts on Disney cruises and onboard purchases
• Cardmember-only events at Disney stores
• 10% off select Disney purchases in stores and online

Chase tends to get decent marks for its customer service and overall cardholder experiences. The bank received an “about average” rating in J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study of national issuers, getting the fourth spot behind Discover, American Express, and Capital One. 

Chase is known for their 24/7 phone customer service as well as their handy mobile app that lets you track your rewards, monitor your spending, and pay your bill from your mobile device. 

Chase offers standard security features for their credit cards including account monitoring, multiple authentication checks, encryption, and zero liability for fraudulent purchases. You can also track and monitor your credit score through Chase’s free Credit Journey service. 

The fees on this card are pretty standard for the industry. Take note that you will have to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee for purchases made outside the U.S. Also be aware that your late fee will be higher depending on your balance. Late fees are $15 for balances of less than $100, $27 for balances between $100 and $249.99, and $37 for balances of $250 or more.